Rhode Islanders At Risk For Identity Theft: Steps To Take To Protect Your Money

JOHNSTON, RI—State police are warning consumers about the fallout from the Equifax hack, which could continue for months or even years. Equifax is a credit reporting company, used by banks and other lenders to decide who gets a mortgage and at what rate.

"A breach of this nature is concerning because of the amount of personal information that has been stolen – not only specific account information, but also personal information that includes Social Security numbers, drivers’ license numbers, birth dates and credit card information," state police said. "This information is sold on the black market and is used in coming months and years to create fictitious accounts."

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"Capt. John Alfred, head of the Rhode Island State Police Joint Cyber Crimes Task Force, said anyone affected by identity theft should consider:

• Immediately taking advantage of credit monitoring services
• Activating a credit freeze to restrict access to your credit report
• Monitoring your credit report for any spurious or incorrect information (Federal law allows a free report every 12 months, but it’s best to check at least every six months.)

"Here are other steps you can take:

1. Keep a close eye on your finances. Check your bank and credit card statements for signs of fraudulent activity. If you notice anything suspicious, notify the bank or credit card company immediately.
2. Be sure to change the password on all accounts that may be impacted by the breach – including bank accounts and those with other financial institutions, such as credit card companies.
3. File your taxes early to avoid a scammer filing your taxes before you do."